Capítulo 47: Chapter 73&74
Chapter 73: An Unexpected Turn
Originally, Dazai had planned to ask her why she betrayed the Nightmare.
However, looking at her current state, he could already guess the answer without needing to ask.
When Bandage Three was summoned from the past, she witnessed the brutal actions of the current Nightmare and refused to accept that they were the same person.
Thus, dissatisfaction turned into conflict, which deepened into a rift, and in the end, the two parted ways.
Although Dazai had figured out why Bandage Three betrayed Nightmare, there was still one question he wanted to get an answer to.
"Bandage Three, I'll call you that from now on." Dazai asked, "Do you know why you... turned into Nightmare?"
Change in people is quite a natural thing no one remains the same forever.
However, the transformation from Bandage Three to Nightmare was such a huge shift that something must have happened to cause it.
If they could understand what led to her becoming Nightmare, the Armed Detective Agency might find a way to oppose her.
"I don't know," Bandage Three shook her head slowly and said, "Because I'm from a long time ago, and I have no idea what happened to the current Tokisaki Kurumi."
"Before you betrayed Nightmare, didn't you ask her about it?"
"I did, but Nightmare never wanted to tell me." Bandage Three pouted. "Not just Nightmare, but even the other clones they wouldn't tell me anything about what happened in the future. What's worse, they wouldn't even talk to me! Every time I tried to get close, they ran away!"
"Hmm... Sounds very convincing."
Dazai didn't doubt her, because it seemed too genuine.
It was so typical for someone with a "chuunibyou" syndrome to be isolated. Some people, after growing out of it, become so embarrassed by their past that they wish they could go back in time and strangle their former selves.
Bandage Three being rejected by her original self and other clones seemed perfectly normal.
The conversation continued for a long time.
Although Bandage Three couldn't answer many of Dazai's questions, she was able to answer some about Tokisaki Kurumi younger years.
She also freely shared her past, including the time when Tsukishima Kyouka was given the Spirit Crystals by Mio Takamia.
However, since there was no Soumiya Mio in this world, nor Spirit Crystals, Bandage Three slightly modified the story to better fit this world's setting, making it more believable.
With the altered version of her past, the backstory of Nightmare in this world finally started to unfold.
"You were originally just an ordinary person from a wealthy family. One day, you were given the ability to control time by an entity called 'Phantom.' At her invitation, you began a mission to punish evil and promote good."
Dazai had spent an hour trying to extract the key points from Bandage Three's convoluted, chuunibyou-style narrative. He mulled over the story, wondering about its reliability.
Even if he trusted her completely, the story was still difficult to believe.
However, Dazai, being someone who played both sides, knew more about the world than most people, and he understood how strange this world could be.
After all, the very existence of abilities was already a magical phenomenon that countless scientists had tried to explain but couldn't.
No matter how magical the situation seemed, Dazai thought it was all quite normal.
Moreover, abilities could indeed be granted.
Although it was just a rumor in the ability-user world, Dazai knew that under certain circumstances, abilities could be bestowed.
Kyoka Izumi was a perfect example someone who didn't have abilities, but due to a bloodline connection, inherited her mother's power, the Yasha Shiroyuki.
"By the way, who exactly is this 'Phantom' you mentioned? Do you have any clues?" Dazai asked.
"I fought alongside Phantom for just a few weeks, but she kept her past a secret," Bandage Three shook her head. "But the other betraying clone might know something. Among all the clones, I'm the youngest."
"Do you have a way to contact this other betraying clone?"
"No... If you hadn't told me, I wouldn't even know there was another clone who betrayed Nightmare."
"Well, we'll have to figure out how to meet that clone later," Dazai sighed slightly.
Although both Bandage Three and Eye Patch Three had betrayed Nightmare, their personalities and methods were distinctly different.
The former was like a child, having been captured by Nightmare during her escape. If it weren't for the Armed Detective Agency's rescue, she would have been executed. Over the past few days, Dazai had gotten the impression that she was far from mature.
On the other hand, Eye Patch Three not only escaped Nightmare's pursuit, but also tricked the underground figure Sakaguchi Ango into revealing information. After their conversation, Sakaguchi didn't even know what she looked like and left no evidence behind.
A complete one sided victory.
If anyone was closer to Nightmare in terms of tactics, it was definitely Eye Patch Three.
That's why Dazai believed that talking to her could yield more valuable information.
However, meeting with Eye Patch Three wasn't going to be easy. After the ambush on Sakaguchi Ango, the ability agency went into full search mode for her, but came up empty.
Even Dazai doubted that even someone like Edogawa Ranpo could do better.
But no matter what, they had to try.
The only way to contact Eye Patch Three was through the phone number she left with Sakaguchi Ango.
The ability agency had Eye Patch Three's contact, and the Armed Detective Agency had Bandage Three perhaps they could use this opportunity to work together.
"Ring ring ring—!"
Just as Dazai was contemplating their next move, his phone suddenly rang.
"Kunimida? Could it be that he's calling to check on the situation?"
Dazai pulled out his phone, a helpless expression on his face. "Even though the boss is right here with me, there's no way I'm slacking off. How unreliable must I seem in Kunimida's eyes?"
"Hello, this is Dazai. What is it?"
Before he could even finish, Kunimida's urgent voice came through the phone.
"Dazai! Come back right away! Nightmare has attacked the Detective Agency!"
Chapter 74: Nightmare Attacks (1/3 owed)
The Armed Detective Agency remained on high alert. The streets, once bustling with people, were now eerily empty. In this world, the existence of abilities was not a secret. Even if governments tried to suppress it, they were powerless to stop it.
The street, which should have been crowded in the daylight, was now deserted. When people saw twenty identical girls, each half-visible in shadows or floating in the air, none dared to look further. They all hurriedly fled, even children understanding the significance of the scene.
"Nightmare, your actions are severely threatening the peace of Yokohama and the stability of the Agency!" From the third floor, acting agency head Kunikida Doppo shouted through a megaphone. "If the Port Mafia wants war, they should consider whether they can withstand the consequences of a full-scale conflict with us!"
"Oh? A full-scale war sounds a bit much," came the teasing voice of Tokisaki Kurumi. "I'm only here to ask for one person."
"If you mean your clone, she's not here. Even if she were, we wouldn't hand her over," Kunikida replied firmly.
"To be honest, I don't care about that child. She doesn't know much, so even if you take her, she won't pose much of a threat to me," Kurumi continued, her voice casual.
"Then why are you here?" Kunikida demanded.
"I'm here for Nakajima Atsushi. I need you to hand over that tiger. This is the task Mr. Mori gave me."
"No way. Even though Nakajima is a newcomer, he's part of our Agency now. If you want to take him, you'll have to step over our dead bodies!"
Hearing this confrontation, Nakajima Atsushi, pale-faced, looked gratefully at Kunikida. Though Kunikida could be rigid and gruff, he was unquestionably a reliable and considerate senior.
The Armed Detective Agency had blocked several attempts by the Port Mafia to capture Nakajima. Despite the close calls, they had always managed to survive unharmed. While the Port Mafia was larger, the Agency had the advantage of elite members working in perfect coordination.
Nakajima Atsushi had been with the Agency for a while now and had a good understanding of their strength. However, this time...
Nakajima's throat tightened as he looked out the window at the street, now almost entirely occupied by Kurumi's clones. He was trembling with fear.
How many clones does she have here, including the one standing right in front of them?
There were at least twenty visible, and there might be more hiding in the shadows. Every one of them had the same ability as Kurumi?
Not only could they fire unblockable energy bullets, but they could also fly and attack from the shadows?
Nakajima glanced at the others.
Dazai and Fukuzawa were absent. The Agency's top combatants, Miyazawa Kenji and Tanizaki Jun'ichirō, were on a mission and couldn't return for a while. The only ones with him now were Kunikida, Akiko Yosano, and Ranpo Edogawa.
Four ability users, facing at least twenty enemies?
On top of that, Yosano's ability was medical, which meant her combat role was limited to physical attacks with a knife. Ranpo's ability was more of a detective skill, leaving him useless in a fight and requiring protection.
By the numbers, only two people in the Agency were equipped to fight.
If Kunikida, always reliable, was anxious, it meant the situation was dire. The Armed Detective Agency was completely outclassed.
"But this time..." Nakajima Atsushi swallowed nervously.
Why was it him? What did he do to deserve this?
He had only just found a place to belong after being kicked out of the orphanage. Why was he being targeted by the Port Mafia again?
"Nakajima, don't think too much," Kunikida's strong hand landed on Nakajima's shoulder. "You're a member of the Armed Detective Agency. We won't abandon you."
"But, Kunikida-sensei, how do we fight so many clones and Kurumi herself?" Nakajima asked, his voice trembling. "If everyone were here, we might have a chance. But with Dazai, Fukuzawa, Tanizaki, and Miyazawa all absent, how can we possibly fight them?"
Kunikida opened his mouth, but no answer came out. Even he was at a loss.
Tokisaki Kurumi had chosen the perfect time to strike. They had no way to fight back.
"Ranpo-sensei, do you have any ideas?"
Desperate, Kunikida turned to the Agency's ace, Ranpo.
Ranpo Edogawa's mind worked quickly, analyzing countless possibilities. Using only the limited information they had, he put together a plan.
Straight on confrontation was impossible. Even if they maximized their abilities, they couldn't overcome the overwhelming numbers.
There was only one option left.
"Will you trust me?" Ranpo asked, his eyes serious as he looked at the others.
"Of course. Ranpo-sensei is the Agency's ace. We will never doubt your decisions," Kunikida answered without hesitation.
"I'm just a doctor. When it comes to using our brains, I leave it to you. Whatever you decide, we'll follow," Yosano said, gripping her knife.
"We trust Ranpo-sensei completely," Nakajima Atsushi nodded.
"Good. I will lead you through this..." Ranpo took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his teammates' trust.
He grabbed the megaphone Kunikida had been using and stepped up to the window.
Countless eyes stared back at him from the street. Under the immense pressure, he shouted, "Kurumi! We want to talk!"
"There's nothing to talk about. I just want Nakajima Atsushi," Kurumi replied, unfazed.
"I know, which is why we want to talk," Ranpo licked his dry lips and set his jaw, as if making a final decision. "If you agree to our terms, the Agency will give up resistance and hand over Nakajima Atsushi."
"Oh? This is getting interesting," Kurumi's lips curled into a mysterious smile. "Then let's talk."
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder